This move, unlike Jiang Haoran's use of ancient artifacts from the Half-step Heavenly Realm, possessed similar power.
This saber strike, however, lacked the intent to kill Chen Jiuyang. Given Chen Jiuyang's character, he would have met it head-on.
Chen Jiuyang would likely have been more severely injured!
Ruan Xiucheng, that old scoundrel, had calculated this point about Chen Jiuyang.
The onlookers, observing from the shadows, remained impassive, waiting to see how Chen Jiuyang would respond to this move. Would he reveal more hidden trump cards, or was he at the end of his rope, destined to meet it head-on as he had before?
When paths cross, what is to be done?
If strength is insufficient, can a path to survival still be carved?
Chen Jiuyang gazed at the scarlet beheading saber cleaving towards him, a torrent of thoughts surging through his mind before he made his decision.
If it was a matter of life and death, one must give their all. Otherwise, what was the use of the blades and sabers in hand?
He had another epiphany, comprehending an entirely new move.
Chen Jiuyang, alone, was breaking through a kill formation. Facing him were countless enemies who wished to prevent him from reaching Longjing.
But he was unwilling!
Chen Jiuyang slowly swung his saber. This strike fused his essence, energy, and spirit after entering the path of divine might and invincibility. It was a peak strike!
"Yuan Dao—Hai Han!"
"Rumble!"
The magnificent and pure Three Revolutions Pure Yang True Blood ignited without reservation. The Yan Sheng Saber's cold gleam and saber aura were tinged with a fiery gold. The saber's phantom form did not increase, but its momentum surged even greater than before!
"Clang—"
The two sabers collided. In an instant, the Yan Sheng Saber erupted with a sky-shattering saber light, surprisingly withstanding the might of Ruan Xiucheng's divine power strike.
As the saber's momentum manifested, within a thousand meters, it became as bright as day, dispelling the darkness and melting the falling snow.
En Fu, watching this scene unfold, felt her own blood surge within her, as a woman.
A single saber strike to shake the sea, akin to Sun Wukong shaking the sea with his divine needle in Journey to the West, stirring the heavens and earth!
How domineering, how majestic, inspiring awe in martial artists!
Was this the charm of the path of divine might and invincibility!
The melodious saber hum reverberated in all directions, then unleashed a terrifying wave of energy that swept outwards.
The elder in the red brocade robes was stunned: "This kid is… too monstrous… isn't he…"
Anyone present could see that this saber strike was something Chen Jiuyang had comprehended on the spot. It did not adhere to the rigid techniques of "Divine Might Like a Prison." Instead, he poured his entire being into this single strike, managing to withstand a divine might move from the Half-step Heavenly Realm without retreating.
Even on the path of divine might and invincibility, martial artists recorded in ancient texts were not as powerful as Chen Jiuyang. It was clear that this was purely Chen Jiuyang's own ability.
More rust flaked off the Yan Sheng Saber, revealing an even sharper edge.
Chen Jiuyang, as the current master of the Yan Sheng Saber, had wielded it for so long that he had finally elicited its saber hum.
Holding the Yan Sheng Saber, Chen Jiuyang could feel its excitement and eagerness.
The more powerful the saber master, the more terrifying the Yan Sheng Saber's might!
"Hahahaha!"
After unleashing the strike, Chen Jiuyang coughed up blood but let out a hearty laugh.
A moment later, the saber's phantom dissipated.
Ruan Xiucheng's old face was so grim it could drip water. Having witnessed Jiang Haoran's precedent, he had believed he could subdue Chen Jiuyang, severely injure him, and dash his hopes for the Dragon Country Martial Rankings competition.
But he had unexpectedly stumbled in the gutter!
To have a junior at the third level of the Earth Realm directly block a divine might move was an unparalleled humiliation.
He was destined to suffer the same fate as Jiang Haoran, to be utterly disgraced and become Chen Jiuyang's stepping stone, his whetstone!
Chen Jiuyang, coughing blood, looked at Ruan Xiucheng with a smile and said, "Patriarch Ruan of Xijiang Province is truly a senior in the martial arts world, possessing noble character. Chen thanks Patriarch Ruan here. If not for Patriarch Ruan's tempering, Chen would not have been able to comprehend this strike. Thank you!"
Ruan Xiucheng's face immediately burned. He had lived for over a hundred years, nearing the end of his life, and yet he had become the whetstone and stepping stone for a junior in his twenties. What a profound humiliation.
In a moment, Ruan Xiucheng's face contorted with the desire to kill. His expression shifted several times. He took a deep breath. Although it was a great humiliation, since Chen Jiuyang had offered him a way out, he had to take it. According to Chen Jiuyang's words, if this matter spread, it would be considered a beautiful story.
If he refused this way out, then his reputation and that of the Ruan family would be ruined.
Ruan Xiucheng forced a smile, his voice stiff as he said, "Marquis Xuanyang, you are too kind. This is your good fortune. This seat merely went with the flow. No need for pleasantries. Three moves have passed. Since that is the case, rest and recover. This seat will escort you for fifty kilometers."
"Hahahaha, thank you for your kind offer, Patriarch Ruan. However, time is of the essence. Please escort me and let me proceed immediately. Time is running out…"
Chen Jiuyang took out a leaf imbued with extremely dense life essence and placed it in his mouth. Then.
"Sizzle sizzle sizzle—"
White smoke rose from Chen Jiuyang's body. His injuries were recovering at a visible rate. In just a few minutes, his aura and injuries returned to the state they were in before his exchange with Ruan Xiucheng.
"What is this good thing?"
"Its effect is comparable to a one-pattern blood-replenishing pill!"
Someone immediately began to discuss.
Ruan Xiucheng's face froze on the spot. He hadn't expected Chen Jiuyang to possess such a valuable item.
An invisible weight pressed down on Ruan Xiucheng's heart: "No, this cannot continue. If the people behind me cannot heavily injure Chen Jiuyang within three moves, and Chen Jiuyang possesses such recovery elixirs, all of us will become his whetstones."
"The plan must be altered. Even if it costs lives, we must delay Chen Jiuyang's progress and deepen his injuries."
"Otherwise, the plan will fail, our schemes will come to naught, and we will be ridiculed by the martial arts world. Furthermore, if the Shu Mountain sect retaliates later, the losses will outweigh the gains…"
Chen Jiuyang's background, talent, and strength were almost impeccable. For old figures like them to deliberately obstruct Chen Jiuyang, it would be acceptable if they succeeded. But if they failed, they would be needlessly making enemies of their own descendants. By the time Chen Jiuyang ascended to the Heavenly Realm, it would truly be too late.
After much deliberation, Ruan Xiucheng's mind began to work, calculating: "Let my fellow daoists die, but not I. It must be this way…"
Ruan Xiucheng said, "Since that is the case, Marquis Xuanyang, please proceed with this seat."
"Hahahaha!" Chen Jiuyang laughed heartily, "Good!"
Chen Jiuyang was injured.
Two days later, Ruan Xiucheng escorted him for fifty kilometers.
Before them now stood only a dense mass of countless martial artists. There were no Half-step Heavenly Realm experts to obstruct Chen Jiuyang again.
Ruan Xiucheng said, "Marquis Xuanyang, the fifty kilometers are complete. The rest of the journey is yours to make."
Chen Jiuyang's expression darkened slightly as he looked at Ruan Xiucheng and said, "Since you know they cannot kill me, why send them to their deaths?"
Ruan Xiucheng merely replied expressionlessly, "Families and sects have nurtured their disciples for hundreds of years. Now is the time for them to be of use."
"Good!"
Chen Jiuyang said coldly, "Decisive and ruthless!"
"In that case, I shall carve out a bloody path for myself."
"Let's see if you can stop me!"